Abstract: An adapter system for use in railway vehicle braking systems for increasing the height of a slack adjuster with respect to a force transfer lever in the braking system is provided. Increasing the height of the slack adjuster in the system results in better clearance of the slack adjuster through an opening of the truck bolster through which the slack adjuster extends in single-cylinder, truck-mounted braking systems. The adapter system of the invention comprises a J-shaped member which is engageable with the transfer lever of the braking system. This J-shaped member has a first portion extending above and substantially parallel with at least a portion of the transfer lever, a second portion positioned below an end of the transfer lever, and a third portion positioned adjacent an edge of the end of the transfer lever. The transfer lever is connected between the first and second portions of the J-shaped member.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrically activated valve assembly for control of a fluid. It has a diaphragm with a control chamber on one side and a flow barrier on the second side. Portions of a first flow passage and a second flow passage are on the second side of the diaphragm, with the flow barrier between them. When the control chamber has a relatively high pressure, the diaphragm is pressed against the flow barrier, isolating the first flow passage from the second flow passage. When the control chamber has a relatively low pressure, the diaphragm moves away from the flow barrier, so flow may occur between the first flow passage and the second flow passage. The position of the diaphragm is determined by pressure in the control chamber so the pressure in the control chamber controls the fluid flow connection between the first flow passage and the second flow passage.

Abstract: An improved resilient type sealing member for use at least in an application which requires both sealing of an annular space between an inner surface of a first member and an adjacent outer surface of a second member at least partially disposed for reciprocal movement within such first member and for providing support to such second member during such reciprocal movement. The improved resilient type sealing member includes a generally round resilient disc-like member having each of a first predetermined diameter and a predetermined thickness. Such resilient disc-like member includes a pair of radially opposed and substantially flat parallel side portions. A first groove, having a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined depth, is formed in a first one of such pair of radially opposed and substantially flat parallel side portions. Such first groove being disposed closely adjacent an outer edge of the resilient disc-like member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diaphragm member for use in certain valve assemblies. Such diaphragm member comprises a generally circular diaphragm having a first predetermined diameter and having a first surface and a second surface. Such generally circular diaphragm is formed from at least one layer of a preselected elastomeric material. Such generally circular diaphragm includes a nonflexing center portion, a generally annular flexure portion extending around an outer periphery of such nonflexing center portion and a non flexing outer portion extending around an outer periphery of such generally annular flexure portion, such non flexing outer portion is engageable with a body portion of such valve assembly. Such diaphragm member further includes a generally circular insert member, having a second predetermined diameter, disposed within the first surface of such nonflexing center portion of such generally circular diaphragm.

Abstract: The invention provides a door system for a transit vehicle. It has an actuator which provides a rotary motion about an axis of the actuator for moving the door panel between an open position uncovering the aperture and a closed unlocked position covering the aperture. The actuator also provides a linear motion along the axis of the actuator for moving the door panel between the closed unlocked position and a closed locked position. The rotary motion followed by the axial motion is provided by a cylinder having a piston moved by fluid pressure. The piston includes a guide track in its exterior which engages rollers in the cylinder. The guide track has one portion curving around the piston and one portion parallel to the axis. The curving part provides the rotary motion and the straight part provides the axial motion. When the rotary motion is completed the piston encounters a stop on a shaft which supports the door. The actuator then moves the door axially to engage locks.

Abstract: A door lock for locking a sliding door on a transit vehicle. The lock has a base for attachment to the transit vehicle and a lock cam having a slot for engaging a door lock element attached to the door. A pivot is connected to the base and to the lock cam to provide a rotary connection of the lock cam to the base. A lock actuator is attached to the base. The lock actuator includes a moveable actuator portion for engaging the lock cam to prevent rotation of the lock cam to lock the door. The actuator also has an energized actuator portion for withdrawing the moveable actuator portion from engagement with the lock cam to release the lock cam and unlock the door. The energized actuator portion is connectable with a control system for the transit vehicle door. The lock also has a manual release mounted to engage the moveable actuator portion to move it from engagement with the lock cam to release the lock cam and hence unlock the door.

Abstract: A brake shoe for a railway vehicle having a three-piece backing plate formed of a longitudinal main plate portion having a front surface to which a friction material is attached, and an end-plate portion attached to each end of the longitudinal main plate portion. Each of the end plate portions having, a pair of wall members extending generally perpendicularly therefrom adapted to engage not only the edge surface of a the main plate portion but also the edge surfaces of the brakehead to which the three-piece backing plate is attached.

Abstract: A power door for a transit vehicle includes a door panel, a base and hanger unit, a door support, a drive member and a motor. The door support is attached to the door panel and includes at least one roller which engages a hanger portion of the base and hanger unit for motion along the base and hanger unit. The hanger portion includes a longitudinal cavity and a slot communicating with the cavity. The drive member is disposed within the cavity and a drive member connector passes through the slot to connect the drive member to the door support.

Abstract: A conversion block for converting porting from a brake control valve to an electronic control unit so as to allow for electronic control of an air braking system for a train. This conversion block has particular utility for converting 26 porting and is one part of the entire unit that allows access to 26-Type equipment for the purpose of overlaying features with an electronic controlled pneumatic braking system. The conversion block provides access to porting to allow all of the advantages of electronic controlled braking to take effect such as shorter stopping distances, system performance feedback, and continuous recharging features. The present invention also provides access to the necessary porting through hook-ups on the conversion block so as to perform a single car test of the braking equipment within a remote mounting arrangement of a 26-Type braking system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adapter member for attaching a pressure transducer to a housing member which has a fluid pressure communication passageway. The pressure transducer has a threaded fitting having a fluid pressure communication passageway for connection to a fluid communication line, such as an air hose. The pressure transducer has a mounting arrangement for attachment to a surface, such as a panel. The adapter member has a first body portion having a threaded fitting for mating with the threaded fitting of the pressure transducer and the adapter member has a fluid pressure communication passageway. A portion of the adapter member has an axisymmetric external surface portion for sealing against an inner surface of the fluid pressure communication passageway in the housing member.

Abstract: The present invention is a valve system for exhausting air from a brakepipe in a remote portion of a train. It has a pressure containment structure having a cylindrical bore and a piston mounted in the bore. A first valve chamber is on one side of the piston and a second valve chamber on a second side. A diaphragm seals between piston and bore, the diaphragm having an annular fold for permitting movement of the piston within the bore. The system has a first brakepipe pressure passageway for conveying air from the brakepipe to the first valve chamber and a control pressure connection for conveying air from a control chamber to the second valve chamber. A biasing means is provided for urging the piston toward the first valve chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for making a tube connection. The apparatus comprises a sleeve having an interior surface adapted for receiving a tube section therein. The sleeve further has an exterior surface having a locking mechanism disposed on an outer portion thereon, such outer portion has a first end and a second end. There is an upwardly inclined surface extending from such second end of such outer portion of the sleeve. Extending inwardly from the upwardly inclined surface is a generally cylindrical sleeve wall that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis extending through the sleeve from one end to another. There is further a stop flange disposed on a center portion of such sleeve extending radially outwardly from such center portion of such sleeve, such stop flange is disposed substantially adjacent such generally cylindrical sleeve wall.

Abstract: An insert filter designed for press-fitting into airway port of hardware apparatus of a railway air brake system whereby the airway ports have at least two different diameters, the insert filter having a ring member defining an opening, a plurality of spaced support ribs extending from a first side of the ring member and intersecting at a location spaced from that first side of the ring member, and a screen mesh supported by the plurality of spaced rib supports defining a volume adjacent to the opening through the ring member. Each of said support ribs having a primary interface rib surface adjacent to an outer edge surface of the ring member adapted to engage inner edge surfaces of a larger, first airway port, and a secondary interface rib surface adjacent to the primary interface rib surface adapted to engage inner edge surfaces of a smaller second airway port.

Abstract: A combination gas drying and reservoir apparatus includes a reservoir, a membrane dryer disposed inside the reservoir and a control scheme that reduces the amount of gas lost as sweep gas from the dryer. The reservoir has an inlet flange that receives moisture laden gas from a compressor, an outlet flange from which dried gas discharges to a pneumatic system and a purge flange. The dryer includes a vessel encasing a membrane unit between its inlet and outlet ends. A purge port of the vessel communicates with the purge flange to form a purge channel. The inlet end of the vessel is connected to the inlet flange from which it receives the moisture laden gas. The moisture laden gas then flows into the membrane unit. Sweep gas that has permeated through membranes flows from a sweep space defined between the vessel and the membrane unit to the purge channel. Dried gas flows out of the membrane unit through the outlet end of the vessel into the reservoir.

Abstract: Radio-based control of railroad train brakes is effected in which brake systems are computer controlled. An End of Train (EOT) system is used in which microprocessor circuits of a Locomotive Control Unit (LCU) and an EOT unit are programmed to perform these and other functions. The computer system has several states. On power on, the system enters the Setup state during which the system stores about one minutes worth of both brake pipe and equalizing reservoir pressure data. This data is later used to determine the rate of change of these pressures to determine stability. Once setup is complete, the system enters the Stability state during which operating pressures are determined. When the equalizing reservoir pressure, the brake pipe pressure and the brake pipe pressure at the end of the train are stable, the EOT unit is commanded to update operating pressures stored in its microprocessor control circuit. Once the several pressures have been found to be stable, the system goes to the Release state.

Abstract: A biparting transit vehicle door system operator. The operator includes a base for attachment to the mass transit vehicle and a motive power source connected to a transmission having an output power shaft. Such operator further includes a teeter plate having a shaft engaging portion for engaging the shaft. The shaft has a teeter plate engaging portion for engaging the operator teeter plate. A thrust bearing is in mechanical contact with a hub portion of the teeter plate and a spring is in mechanical contact with the thrust bearing to exert a first axial thrust thereon. The thrust bearing communicating the first axial thrust to the teeter plate so that the shaft engaging portion of the teeter plate engages the teeter plate engaging portion of the shaft. The operator includes a release member having mechanical contact with the hub portion of the teeter plate for exerting a second axial thrust on the teeter plate.

Abstract: A temperature activated diversion valve for supplying a first inflow fluid as an outflow fluid and for switching to supply a second inflow fluid as the outflow fluid if the first inflow fluid reaches a specified temperature. The temperature activated diversion valve includes a first inflow conduit for carrying the first inflow fluid, a second inflow conduit for carrying the second inflow fluid, an outflow conduit and a valve member. The valve member is moveable between a first position and a second position and establishes fluid communication between the first inflow conduit and the outflow conduit in the first position, while blocking fluid communication between the second inflow conduit and the outflow conduit in the first position. Additionally, the valve member establishes fluid communication between the second inflow conduit and the outflow conduit in the second position, while blocking fluid communication between the first inflow conduit and the outflow conduit in the second position.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for rapidly exhausting air pressure from a source of such pressure. The valve includes a housing containing a valve member located across a main port provided in the housing that directly receives the air pressure from the pressure source. A second port is provided for receiving a pilot pressure from the pressure source, and a piston is located adjacent the second port. At least one exhaust port is provided in the housing for exhausting to atmosphere the air received through the main port and against the valve member.

Abstract: An electronic load weigh device is used with a railcar truck control unit. A relay valve provides to a brake cylinder a pressure proportional to the pressure impinging upon its control port. A first feedback signal is indicative of the pressure at the control port. A second feedback signal is indicative of the load borne by the truck. A pressure switch opens when pressure within a trainline changes to a level indicative of an emergency. By controlling the opening and closing of application and release magnet valves, a controller controls the pressure impinging on the control port and thereby service braking of the wheels of the truck. The load weigh device includes (i) circuitry for electronically compensating for the load during braking and (ii) a mechanism for granting the circuitry exclusive control over the magnet valves. Should such emergency occur, the mechanism responds to such emergency by disconnecting the controller from the magnet valves.

Abstract: An air bag actuated brake cylinder assembly for a railway vehicle braking system is provided which comprises a cylindrical casing engaged with the railway vehicle braking system including a hollow piston assembly having a piston rod assembly attached thereto and mounted for longitudinal movement within the cylindrical casing. An air bag actuator is engageable with the hollow piston assembly and an inner surface of the cylindrical casing for moving the piston and piston rod in an outward direction upon actuation thereof to initiate a braking sequence of the railway vehicle braking system. The air bag actuated brake cylinder assembly of the present invention allows for improved control of the movement of the brake cylinder piston and consequently improved control of the brake shoe forces which is especially desirable during light load conditions. Also, the air bag actuated brake cylinder of the invention is capable of accommodating piston bail and/or misalignment without leaking air.